The appeal to the “general audience” is partially a flaw in the movie especially since I’m not even sure that the “general audience” even got it. I would say that the “general audience” were more likely to get Jake’s appearance on SNL which was shown for at least the third time this past Saturday. I’m sorry to those who like this, but I still don’t get that and I certainly do not like it. There was nothing funny about BBM and there certainly wasn’t anything funny about Jake’s drag performance or the gay cowboys. Sorry I will get off my soapbox.
Jstephens, I agree with you totally re Jake's appearance on SNL, although we're probably the minority opinion here.
To answer the topic question, yes, I think Ang Lee should have included more affection between Ennis and Jack, especially the little acts of verbal and physical affection included in the story. The "little darlin'" line definitely should have been included (multiple times), with Ennis saying it to his horses, his daughters, and Jack but never to Alma. The shared cigarette at the Motel Fiesta also would have been a nice touch as well as the later scene in the story when the horses are nickering in the darkness and Ennis puts his arm around Jack, pulling him close, and Jack puts his cold hand between Ennis's legs while they talk about their children.
That said, I think more interaction of any kind between Ennis and Jack would have been nice.
BTW, my least favorite characters were Randall and Lashawn, especially the latter. We didn't need to hear Lashawn's endless chatter; let's face it, we're not particularly interested in anything she has to say. It's almost as if the screenwriters are giving Randall a reason not to want to be with her when Randall doesn't
need another reason. The inclusion of Cassie doesn't bother me as much because BBM is mostly Ennis's story and she's part of that. I also didn't like the "foot rub, dummy" scene -- probably because I wouldn't stick my smelly feet in the lap of a guy I was trying to attract.